Museum in the Crypt of the Church of St Dimitrios

Underneath the Church of St Demetrios is the place where St Demetrios, Thessaloniki’s patron saint, was martyred.

The crypt of Aghios Demetrios has been an archaeological site since its discovery in 1918. After 1950, some of the sculptures that survived the great fire of 1917, were transfered by S. Palakanides in the area of the fountain in an effort to remodel the whole place. In the years 1985-1988, excavations were conducted in the north part of the Crypt, and its remains were restored. An exhibition was organized, including the excavation finds as well as the antiquities that were rescued from the catastrophic fire.

A pamphlet on the exhibition has already been published, but a proper guide book to the museum is now in preparation.

The museum contains early Christian sculptures of the 5th, 6th and 7th centuries found in the church, Byzantine sculpture from the church, dated to the 11th-14th centuries, and various excavation finds (coins, pottery), dated to the 5th-14th centuries.

Hours: Winter Monday Closed, Tuesday - Thursday 08:00 - 15:00, Friday 08:00 - 13:30 & 19:00 - 22:00, Saturday - Sunday 07:30 - 14:30

Rules: No shorts or sleeveless shirts

Entrance fee: Free

Address: 83, Demetrios church St., 54633 Thessaloniki